Rejuvenated Sindhu to be back in business at the India Open 2025

It’s back to business for P.V. Sindhu, India’s double Olympic medallist in badminton, who took a break for her high-profile wedding in end-December. Come Tuesday, the former world no.1 will be in the fray again for the Yonex-Sunrise India Open 2025, scheduled to be held at K.D. Jadhav Indoor Hall at the Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi from 14-19 January.

The day of the draw on Monday also endorsed the power of Brand Sindhu as international sportswear giant Puma announced her as its brand ambassador as it enters the badminton market in India. The association kicks off in alignment with the India Open, where the 29-year-old will look to reboot her career after tying the knot with entrepreneur Venkata Datta Sai.

The prestigious event, part of the HSBC BWF World Tour Super 750 series, has attracted some of the world’s best, including Olympic champions Viktor Axelsen and An Se-Young. Leading India stars Lakshya Sen and the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will also shake off their Paris Olympics disappointments and take fresh guard at the event.

A 2017 India Open champion, Sindhu took a long break after the Paris Olympics before returning to the circuit. ‘’This will be my first tournament after marriage, and also in the new year. So everything is new and I want to give my best in the competition in front of the home fans… After the Paris Olympics, I wanted some time to recover physically and emotionally and the break has helped me get back rejuvenated,” she said at the launch press conference of the event. 

Meanwhile, Puma India’s partnership with Sindhu, who figures in the Forbes India list of richest sportswomen, is a multi-year collaboration. This marks Puma’s official entry into badminton as it will launch a high-performance badminton range featuring specialised products.

Commenting on the partnership in a press release, Sindhu said: “I’m excited to join the Puma family, a brand that shares my belief in the power of sport to inspire. This partnership with Puma India isn’t just about being part of something bigger—it is an opportunity to connect with those who value pushing boundaries and embracing challenges. Badminton has always been a platform for growth and self-discovery for me, and through this collaboration, I hope to encourage others, especially women, to take risks, believe in themselves, and strive for more—both on and off the court.’’

A Google-Deloitte Think Sports report from 2024 says badminton’s popularity in India is surging, with a fan base of 57 million and counting. Of this, 27.8 million come from Gen Z, reflecting the sport’s strong appeal among younger age groups. It has also emerged as the second-most played sport in urban areas, after cricket, and has seen a remarkable 65 per cent rise in active participation over the past four years.